Our Policy Priorities

We advocate for policies that support health and well-being for all our nation’s kids.

Our approach

FoodCorps is an active player in state and federal coalitions focused on our policy priorities. We contribute data and stories, staff expertise and capacity, and strategic resourcing to campaigns; we help different states learn from each other; and we activate our network for digital and in-person advocacy. Our 15-year evidence base, the credibility of our direct work in schools, and our network of advocates help us champion policies in support of healthy outcomes for every kid.

What We Advocate For

Food education as an academic priority

We advocate for legislation that strengthens, integrates, and funds food and nutrition education as part of curricula and standards. We promote policies that create and sustain more dedicated staff positions at schools to deliver high-quality food education.

School meals for all

We advocate for free school meals for all students, regardless of their family income, and a cafeteria experience where they have enough time to eat and enjoy their food. We work to remove administrative barriers, support increased school meal funding, and properly resource school nutrition professionals to focus on sourcing and serving nourishing, community-rooted meals and snacks.

A healthy and sustainable school meal supply chain

We advocate for policies that enable schools to source and serve food that supports local economies, protects lands and waters, treats animals humanely, and treats workers with dignity through fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. We elevate opportunities for farm-to-school food and local procurement.

Supporting the school nutrition workforce

We advocate for legislation that recognizes and protects the critical work of school nutrition professionals. We support livable wages, health and safety protections, and resourcing for recruitment, training, and professional development.

Modernized school kitchens

We advocate for policies that increase funding for schools to upgrade and modernize their kitchen and cafeteria facilities to prepare scratch-cooked, locally-sourced, appetizing meals.

Youth for Food Day

In 2023, New Mexico broke ground for school food when the state legislature voted unanimously to make school meals free for every student. Leading up to the vote, FoodCorps was instrumental in growing support among partner organizations, elevating the measure in the media, and gathering stories of impact on the ground. In subsequent years, FoodCorps organized two Youth for Food Day events at the capitol in Santa Fe, where hundreds of youth and families convened to thank legislators for prioritizing school meals.

Two adult women talking to students in the New Mexico State Capitol

From The Skillet

FoodCorps Kindred Fellows Convene in Washington, D.C., to Advocate for School Meals and Food Education

School nutrition professionals and emerging school food leaders are meeting with lawmakers to champion policies that help students learn, eat, and thrive.